Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Appleton, WI
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median $34,500 a year — 10% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,164 take-home, or $2,430 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median preschool teachers, except special education salary in Appleton, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,960
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,139
- Medicare (1.45%)$500
- Wisconsin income tax$737
- Take-home pay$29,164
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay by experience in Appleton, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,460 | $14.16 | $25,333 | $2,111 |
| 25th percentile | $29,870 | $14.36 | $25,647 | $2,137 |
| Median (50th) | $34,500 | $16.59 | $29,164 | $2,430 |
| 75th percentile | $36,490 | $17.54 | $30,675 | $2,556 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,690 | $21.49 | $36,903 | $3,075 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,500 buys in Appleton, WI
Prices in Appleton, WI are 7.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median preschool teachers, except special education's $29,164 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,556 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Appleton, WI has 1.3× the national concentration of preschool teachers, except special education jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for preschool teachers, except special education, adjusted for cost of living
Appleton, WI ranks #81 of 153 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlantic City, NJ | $59,320 | $48,114 | $48,670 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls, SD | $46,370 | $39,438 | $43,515 |
| 3 | Omaha, NE | $44,440 | $36,745 | $39,979 |
| 4 | Modesto, CA | $49,500 | $40,290 | $38,700 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $42,750 | $35,061 | $38,605 |
| 6 | Savannah, GA | $44,980 | $36,610 | $38,453 |
| 7 | Albuquerque, NM | $44,050 | $36,647 | $38,356 |
| 8 | New Orleans, LA | $42,570 | $35,494 | $38,332 |
| 81 | Appleton, WI | $34,500 | $29,164 | $31,556 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 153 metros →
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Madison, WI — $38,090
- Green Bay, WI — $36,070
- Eau Claire, WI — $35,270
- Milwaukee, WI — $36,240
Frequently asked questions
How much does a preschool teachers, except special education make in Appleton, WI?
The median preschool teachers, except special education salary in the Appleton, WI metro area is $34,500 a year, or about $16.59 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,870 and $36,490.
What is a preschool teachers, except special education’s take-home pay in Appleton, WI?
On the median $34,500 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $29,164 a year ($2,430 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $737 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Appleton, WI a good place to work as a preschool teachers, except special education?
Pay here is 10% below the national median of $38,140. Local prices are 7.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,556 would in a typical U.S. city. Appleton, WI ranks #81 of 153 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a preschool teachers, except special education afford rent in Appleton, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Appleton, WI is $960 a month ($1,236 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median preschool teachers, except special education’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.